Jordan Nobbs returned from the World Cup as a household name who got stopped in the street.

“I got recognised more as a pundit than a footballer which is terrible,” laughed Nobbs.

“Literally as soon as I got back, people were coming up to me and saying: ‘You’re that pundit.’ No, I’m a footballer!”

Arsenal ’s England midfielder Nobbs, 26, missed the women’s World Cup through a knee injury yet she still became a star of the tournament as a BBC pundit when the Lionesses games were watched by millions.

Fit-again Nobbs said: “I can't thank the BBC enough for letting me have the opportunity because mentally it got me through a very tough time.

Nobbs was forced to watch from the sidelines during the World Cup this summer (Image: Marc Atkins)

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"It allowed me to focus on something different and stopped me thinking about my injury and help me feel part of the World Cup.

“It meant I was doing something rather than just sitting at home, feeling sorry for myself and watching the games on the telly. So being part of it was a key part of my rehab and just being there was such a big thing for me.”

Nobbs is now back to full fitness (Image: Alan Walter)

But now comes the real test and this weekend is the start of the Women’s Super League and the chance to build on the success, enthusiasm and feel good factor from the heady days of summer.

It feels like a point in time for the women’s game and certainly there has never been so much drive and interest to make sure the WSL goes from strength to strength.

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Nobbs is fit and ready for the return of the WSL this weekend (Image: Alan Walter)

The hope is the attendances will rise while teams experiment with fixture schedules and playing games at their main stadiums.

Nobbs said: “We’ve always said that major tournaments can build our league. A lot of our games are going on telly, they are being played at big stadiums, it’s little stepping stones that we need to keep taking to make sure the women’s game keeps progressing.

“I think right now we don’t actually know how well it’s going to work. It’s incredible that we’re beginning to play big stadiums. If it works we need to stick with it and try it again. But if it doesn’t then we mustn’t force it. We must do what’s best for the women’s game.

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Nobbs was an integral part of the Lionesses team that qualified for the World Cup (Image: X03810)

“I just think we need to keep performing and create the most professional environment to make sure these things fall into place.

“I think even our squad has four English players which shows just how many players want to come to our league, it shows how strong they think it is and the more we can keep getting the best players to our club, the more media get on board and televise it.

“A lot of our games are going on telly, they are being played at big stadiums, it’s little stepping stones that we need to keep taking to make sure the women’s game keeps progressing.”

Arsenal are the reigning Women’s Super League champions and they begin the defence of their title against West Ham on Sunday.

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The midfielder has captained Arsenal over her career (Image: Getty Images)

But last season’s success was remarkable as Arsenal - the trailblazers of the women’s game under Vik Akers in the 1990s - returned to the top as they saw off Chelsea and Manchester City as manager Joe Montemurro led Arsenal to the title in his first full season in charge.

Nobbs said: “I think Joe has to take a lot of credit for the way he gives us clarity on the pitch. He’s been a phenomenal coach for us. I hope he stays here for as long as I want to stay because he’s got this club in the right direction.

“His football knowledge is what makes us perform on the pitch as well. He’s very clever, he’s got us playing the Arsenal way, we want to play football, we want people to enjoy watching us.

Nobbs is set to make her return against West Ham on Sunday (Image: Alan Walter)

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“It was the kick Arsenal needed, to realise that other teams were jumping over us. They were investing, becoming bigger and stronger. That’s what we’ve done.

“I think it’s incredible this league is becoming stronger. I think it’s one of the strongest in the world. I think it’l be another tough season again and that’s the exciting part of this league because you can go from first to fifth and the other way round within a few weeks.

“It’s now about winning every game and we’ve got to perform week-in and week-out. If you slip up once then it can really jeopardise your whole season.”